Enjoy Farm Life

Sunday, 24 June 2012

Hendre Ifan Goch Farm at Glynogwr had a toilet at the bottom of the garden that was flushed from a little stream running underneath, not unusual for farms but this one had 2 seats.

The toilet was in need of some TLC and not having time to do this we asked the National Museum at St Fagans in 2008 if they would like it.

Having received a farmhouse as one of the original pieces in the 1952 from Llangennith in Gower which was rebuilt at St Fagans by 1955, they were donated the cowshed and calf cots in 2007. The outside toilet at the farmstead was a ruin so our toilet fills the place in the corner of the garden of Kenixton Farm.

We were invited to the opening of these new buildings on the 20th of June 2012 and were delighted to see how it had been restored.

Hendre Ifan Goch Farm was also the home to Lewis Hopkin (1708-1771)the Bard and preacher, his son Hopcyn Bach was a dwarf and his suit also is at St Fagans Museum.

Lewis Hopkinexerted the greatest
influence on the literary life of Glamorgan in that period. He was also the bardic
teacher of EdwardEvanand Iolo Morganwg
admits that Hopkin taught him. He was a well-read and cultured man; it is claimed
that he was well-acquainted with English literature of the 18th cent.; he had Latin and French
books in his library. He was buried at LlandyfodwgChurch; Iolo Morganwg
published an elegy to him in 1772 under the title of Dagrau yr Awen.

Hopcyn Bach (Hopkin the dwarf), son of
Lewis Hopkin, the bard, died aged 17 of senile decay in 1754. He visited London in 1751, staying
for the winter season, and visiting the nobility and gentry. He was introduced
to Princess Dowager of Wales
and the Prince of Wales. According to a letter written by John Browning in
1751, he was also shown publicly for money in Bristol.